The NIT version of the Final Four became a Final Two when Tulsa staved off Jim Calipari’s Memphis squad, 72-64, in last night’s late game at the Garden.

The Golden Hurricane, a talented team that advanced to the Elite Eight in last year’s NCAA Tournament, will play Alabama (25-10) in tomorrow night’s NIT final at the Garden.

Alabama defeated Detroit 74-63 in the early game last night.

For Tulsa, which had its NCAA hopes dashed because of a home loss to Hawaii in the WAC tournament on March 10, last night’s advancement to the NIT Final represented a significant reward after the disappointment of not making it to the NCAA’s “big dance.”

“This takes a lot of the sting out of the loss to Hawaii in our conference tournament,” said Tulsa coach Buzz Peterson, a former player at North Carolina, before last night’s game. “We’re at our Final Four now.”

Now Tulsa (25-11) has reached the Final Two, but it didn’t come easily for the Golden Hurricane, who nearly blew a 20-point lead in the second half.

Tulsa had to fight off a furious Memphis rally that reduced the lead to 61-58 with 4:43 left before regaining control of itself.

“These young men hung tough,” Peterson said. “When people make their storms and surges on us we seem to hang on. The word is heart. Our kids have a lot of heart. They’ve got grit. These guys went to Elite Eight last year. I’m proud to be a part of this.”

Two huge baskets by David Shelton (11 points) – one with 1:59 remaining to make it 64-58 and one with 1:26 remaining to make it 66-58 – soothed Tulsa’s nerves and allowed it to hold on in the end.

The formula for the Golden Hurricane victory was what it’s been all season – balance. All five players in Tulsa’s starting lineup average double figures in scoring, and it was all five starters and then some to lead the Hurricane to victory.

Kevin Johnson scored 16 to lead Tulsa. Marcus Hill had 13, Antonio Reed had nine off the bench and Charlie Davis added eight.

Tulsa, which led 41-29 at intermission, dictated the tempo throughout the first half. The Golden Hurricane built its largest lead of the game – 57-37 – with 12:50 remaining when Greg Harrington drained a jumper. That basket culminated a 9-0 Tulsa run and seemingly left Memphis reeling for good.

“I was very frustrated at the half about the way we played in the first half and I said some things,” Calipari said of his Tigers, who finished his first season at Memphis with a 20-15 record. “But these kids haven’t been here before. They were nervous.

“And,” Calipari said, “I’ve got to give Tulsa credit. They beat our brains in, getting us down 20. I can’t remember being down 20 this year. They spanked us. But we fought back and showed some pride.”

*

Tulsa now leads the series against Memphis 12-8. In an oddity, though, before last night’s game, Tulsa had won the first 11 meetings with Memphis having won the last eight. So last night’s win over Memphis was Tulsa’s first since Feb. 25, 1971.

Memphis didn’t help itself at the line last night, making only 4 of 14 free throws. Tulsa, meanwhile, was 20 of 26 from the line.